Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Gliders, Transport Aircraft
Manufacturer: General Aircraft Ltd
General Aircraft Hamilcar Aircraft Overview
The General Aircraft Hamilcar was a large British military glider used during World War II. It was designed to transport heavy equipment, such as tanks, artillery pieces, and bulldozers, in support of airborne operations. The Hamilcar was a high-wing monoplane with a wooden structure and a fabric-covered fuselage. It had a wingspan of 110 feet (33.5 meters) and could carry a payload of up to 7 tons.
The Hamilcar saw action during the Normandy landings in June 1944 and was also used during the Rhine crossing in March 1945. In total, around 400 Hamilcars were built during the war, and they were used by both British and American airborne units.
General Aircraft Hamilcar Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 8 t (8,000 kg) payload
- Length: 68 ft (21 m)
- Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)
- Height: 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
- Wing area: 1,657.5 sq ft (153.99 m2)
- Airfoil: RAF 34 modified
- Empty weight: 18,400 lb (8,346 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 36,000 lb (16,329 kg)
General Aircraft Hamilcar Performance
- Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn) aerotow speed
- Stall speed: 65 mph (105 km/h, 56 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 187 mph (301 km/h, 162 kn)
- Wing loading: 22.37 lb/sq ft (109.2 kg/m2)
